In the first six months of 2025, the "harvest in the Lord's vineyard" was abundant in many Chinese Catholic communities.

The Catholic news portal "xinde.org" recalls that from January 1 to June 30, the episcopal ordination of Anthony Ji Weizhong, Bishop of Lüliang, and 16 priestly ordinations took place, four religious sisters made their final vows, and 22 religious renewed their perpetual vows.

Most recently, Giovanni Battista Li Suguang, Bishop of Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi Province, presided over the ordination of three new priests incardinated in his diocese, who come from the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei.

The Diocese of Beijing is also preparing for the ordination of two deacons, scheduled for September 19.

In recent years, there have been signs of a decline in priestly and religious vocations in the Church in China. Now, a phase of stabilization appears to have begun.

Young people entering the seminary must complete five to seven years of priestly formation before their ordination. Given the dynamics and influences that shape social life today, this path seems too long and too arduous for many.

Between 1999 and 2008, an average of about 70 new priests were ordained each year. Since 2005, there has been a significant decline.

Even already ordained priests are called to pursue continuing education through ongoing formation, and the continent's Catholic community has increasingly invested resources in the formation of lay people, priests, and religious sisters, all of whom are called to participate in the missionary work of the Church.